Also my absolute favorite Solas companion dialogue is when Blackwall asks Solas about *sexy time* in the fade and he just says "ass" it's the most petulant thing he says and I love it.
40:57 I think this is where other players from other backgrounds play a role here. As a Black woman my initial thought was yeah remove the vallaslin if they’re slave marks from the past but there is another part of me that also understands the power of reclaiming a part of your history and recontextualize the trauma of what those marks mean. If you don’t remove it and choose to say that it is a part of her and that she choses to look at the future and not the past, he really understands. While removing the vallaslin is a very sweet scene before the breakup, I also think that him letting her have her agency with that choice is equally compelling!
Yes :) that's why I love this choice so much, there's so much to consider and it's so awesome that it's one of those choices that doesn't really have impact on anything but character - Solas loves you regardless, his reaction to your answer is pretty much the same. He doesn't actually see the marks, doesn't judge you for them (at this point) and sees your Inquisitor for them. It's such a beautiful, powerful moment that tells you exactly how in love he is and how much his mind has been changed about the past/his views. Especially since if she gets mad about learning this he lets her yell at him and even give him a shove or two - he accepts that it hurts and offends her without any resistance because this is for her/about her, not him. It's just really neat that this climax of a romance scene involves him telling her the truth about something she probably should know about (not THE truth, but still) - and instead of pressuring her to remove what to him is this symbol of oppression/abuse, he lets her choose 100% and that's probably why it's so impactful. He allows her that power and knowledge to choose what her history means to her, what that symbol means and he accepts and loves her for it either way. Just wow, that's so... Wow. Sorry for the long reply, I have a lot of feelings and appreciate your comment and thoughts XD
@@ladysulevin No worries, I agree with you for sure about his love and respect for a romanced Lavellan. I think what makes it tragic is that they both in that moment have nothing but pure love and admiration for each other, but their circumstances just don't let it come to fruition. I think also because Solas' burden is too great, him sharing the truth with Lavellan at that moment probably terrified him so he settled for the next best thing and he still felt bad about it. I think where my Lavellan perhaps differs from others is that she wants him to look more towards the future and while she understands him and loves him, she feels like this path is perhaps not the right one for him. Even if the Veil came down, he's so ridden with guilt and the past that they're unable to move forward. I hope this gets addressed somehow in Veilguard! 😓
That was fun to listen to. :-) Very much agree that Solas' character is impeccably written. (And, it's his nerdiness ... the constant thirst for knowledge ... that piqued my interest on my 1st playthrough.)
I am praying that at some point in Veilguard we get Solas's Trespasser music as a throwback to DAI, especially if it's during an emotional moment with Solas. I would lose my shit for that alone.
Loved that video! Thank you for including the banter scenes. Also the scene in Trespasser where romanced Lavellan says „Solas, Var lath vir suledin“ kills me everytime. Goosebumps everywhere 🥲
Respectfully - I do understand why some people remove the vallaslin, but i personally never do. I feel quite strongly about them representing freedom- since thats what being Dalish is all about. Never bending the knee. That includes humans, the Ancient Elves and even the Gods. I think valuing their dead meaning feels almost as if one is placing the opinions of the Ancient Elves above your own culture as a Dalish. Yes, its great to have the knowledge of what happened and what they mean- but the old meaning died with Arlathan. When one finds knowledge, they should accept it but also learn from it to *move forward*. Its *The Dalish* who are still here afterall, they're the ones who've survived. And in Dalish culture, they're a marking of freedom. I do personally think it works for Solas' narrative a bit better if one plays a Lavellan that values moving forward rather than trying to write the sins of the past- especially because Solas clutches to his old world so tightly he's willing to to tear the new one down for it.
Totally valid, it's definitely something I still think over because looking at it from a roleplaying/in lore perspective, that's no small choice for a Lavellan. Obviously, for us players we have a different perspective, but this scene and finding this out (and then the breakup, either way) that's gotta be devastating to learn from someone you love (especially in what certainly looked like a date).
@@ladysulevin Oh totally. Which is why I do understand why some do. Again, it's up to perspective. My Lavellan was in her "Fuck-the-Elvhen, Dalish are better" phase (after Abelas shattered her world) when the breakup happened- so depending on the Lavellan, it should go down differently. (I personally can't wait to see Season 2 of the Solavellan Drama- Dorian Commentators edition. And all the interesting headcannons that come out.)
Wanted to say that I support this 100%. Also adding my two cents that I do have my Lavellan remove them but only because she realizes she's never going home. She's the Inquisitor, and she knows the world isn't going to just let her disappear back into the forest. She's also learned so much about her culture and the ancient elves that she not sure her clan would accept. So for her, removing the vallasin was a symbol of her decision to accept her life as it had become (and I ideally move forward with the man beside her - though we all know that is not what happened)😭.
@@anna-friedavandyk It's definitely something that adds a great deal to Lavellan's character (as Cassidei said), and it's one of those moments that just adds a lot to the player experience of having to sit there and think 'what would she do?' I love that it's one of those decisions that from a overarching game perspective is pretty much just aesthetics, but it's completely down to you to assign meaning to the choice - it makes you have to think from your character's perspective instead of 'you romanced this character, have romantic/sexy romance scene as reward'. So good.
Just watched this for the fifth time, I just love to listen to you solasmancers ❤ Our beloved egg is simply the best written character in a video game! Just earlier today RUclips recommended me a fan Song called „ar lath ma vhenan“ und it broke my heart once again. Maybe you would like this Song too! Deserves so much more attention, just like your channel does! Love your videos 🫶
Solas finds everyway to grind my gears. I did a playthrough where i wanted to try romancing him, but i just couldn't after a few conversations he just came off as an entitled know-it-all who could have done more with his knowledge. I can't wait to go against him at every opportunity in veil guard
Sorry to double edited l think I drew a comic for my friend with Solas be snarky with my honest response. "Well, perhaps we should play a tree." Me:" Why bother we could just rescue the one out of your arse." Varric:"ELVES!Just for once play nice" Me:" He started it" Varric:"Ugh, he's negging you. Just kiss and get it over with already".
This can be controversial to some Solas shippers but especially with what we learn of Solas' character- I absolutely agree with this! Modern elves are much different than ancient elves, so there is always a process in which he comes to recognize and appreciate modern people as *people*. The dynamics are interesting in so many ways, whether with a human or dwarf or qunari- he's an ancient spirit reconciling with his decisions and also his own personhood.
![Solas' Character - Measuring the Veil [spoilers]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5aOjoUPBJXE/mqdefault.jpg)
![Solas' Character - Measuring the Veil [spoilers]](/img/tr.png)
It was great talking about our favorite elf together 💓
Also my absolute favorite Solas companion dialogue is when Blackwall asks Solas about *sexy time* in the fade and he just says "ass" it's the most petulant thing he says and I love it.
40:57 I think this is where other players from other backgrounds play a role here. As a Black woman my initial thought was yeah remove the vallaslin if they’re slave marks from the past but there is another part of me that also understands the power of reclaiming a part of your history and recontextualize the trauma of what those marks mean. If you don’t remove it and choose to say that it is a part of her and that she choses to look at the future and not the past, he really understands. While removing the vallaslin is a very sweet scene before the breakup, I also think that him letting her have her agency with that choice is equally compelling!
Yes :) that's why I love this choice so much, there's so much to consider and it's so awesome that it's one of those choices that doesn't really have impact on anything but character - Solas loves you regardless, his reaction to your answer is pretty much the same. He doesn't actually see the marks, doesn't judge you for them (at this point) and sees your Inquisitor for them. It's such a beautiful, powerful moment that tells you exactly how in love he is and how much his mind has been changed about the past/his views. Especially since if she gets mad about learning this he lets her yell at him and even give him a shove or two - he accepts that it hurts and offends her without any resistance because this is for her/about her, not him.
It's just really neat that this climax of a romance scene involves him telling her the truth about something she probably should know about (not THE truth, but still) - and instead of pressuring her to remove what to him is this symbol of oppression/abuse, he lets her choose 100% and that's probably why it's so impactful. He allows her that power and knowledge to choose what her history means to her, what that symbol means and he accepts and loves her for it either way. Just wow, that's so... Wow.
Sorry for the long reply, I have a lot of feelings and appreciate your comment and thoughts XD
@@ladysulevin No worries, I agree with you for sure about his love and respect for a romanced Lavellan. I think what makes it tragic is that they both in that moment have nothing but pure love and admiration for each other, but their circumstances just don't let it come to fruition. I think also because Solas' burden is too great, him sharing the truth with Lavellan at that moment probably terrified him so he settled for the next best thing and he still felt bad about it. I think where my Lavellan perhaps differs from others is that she wants him to look more towards the future and while she understands him and loves him, she feels like this path is perhaps not the right one for him. Even if the Veil came down, he's so ridden with guilt and the past that they're unable to move forward. I hope this gets addressed somehow in Veilguard! 😓
@@panamakira Goodness, yes 😢 poor lovesick dumplings need a break
I remember reading that the valasin scene he was originally going to tell Lavellen that he was Fen'harel but chickened out
I believe that's true, unless I'm mistaken - I think his writer said that.
That was fun to listen to. :-) Very much agree that Solas' character is impeccably written. (And, it's his nerdiness ... the constant thirst for knowledge ... that piqued my interest on my 1st playthrough.)
100% on the nerdiness 😆
I am praying that at some point in Veilguard we get Solas's Trespasser music as a throwback to DAI, especially if it's during an emotional moment with Solas. I would lose my shit for that alone.
Well the dread koda song actually has the same notes i believe!
@@ladysulevin I am prepared to sob to near dehydration
Loved that video! Thank you for including the banter scenes. Also the scene in Trespasser where romanced Lavellan says „Solas, Var lath vir suledin“ kills me everytime. Goosebumps everywhere 🥲
I also really enjoy his banter with Cassandra, they both clearly respect each other a lot
I am literally walking in at the right time😮🎉
The editing in of the banter clips 👌
Have you listened to the Veilguard podcast? Harding calls solas “a friend” and she says she doesn’t want to see him dead.
Respectfully - I do understand why some people remove the vallaslin, but i personally never do.
I feel quite strongly about them representing freedom- since thats what being Dalish is all about. Never bending the knee.
That includes humans, the Ancient Elves and even the Gods.
I think valuing their dead meaning feels almost as if one is placing the opinions of the Ancient Elves above your own culture as a Dalish.
Yes, its great to have the knowledge of what happened and what they mean- but the old meaning died with Arlathan. When one finds knowledge, they should accept it but also learn from it to *move forward*.
Its *The Dalish* who are still here afterall, they're the ones who've survived. And in Dalish culture, they're a marking of freedom.
I do personally think it works for Solas' narrative a bit better if one plays a Lavellan that values moving forward rather than trying to write the sins of the past- especially because Solas clutches to his old world so tightly he's willing to to tear the new one down for it.
Totally valid, it's definitely something I still think over because looking at it from a roleplaying/in lore perspective, that's no small choice for a Lavellan. Obviously, for us players we have a different perspective, but this scene and finding this out (and then the breakup, either way) that's gotta be devastating to learn from someone you love (especially in what certainly looked like a date).
@@ladysulevin Oh totally. Which is why I do understand why some do. Again, it's up to perspective. My Lavellan was in her "Fuck-the-Elvhen, Dalish are better" phase (after Abelas shattered her world) when the breakup happened- so depending on the Lavellan, it should go down differently.
(I personally can't wait to see Season 2 of the Solavellan Drama- Dorian Commentators edition. And all the interesting headcannons that come out.)
Totally understand that perspective. Well said
Wanted to say that I support this 100%. Also adding my two cents that I do have my Lavellan remove them but only because she realizes she's never going home. She's the Inquisitor, and she knows the world isn't going to just let her disappear back into the forest. She's also learned so much about her culture and the ancient elves that she not sure her clan would accept. So for her, removing the vallasin was a symbol of her decision to accept her life as it had become (and I ideally move forward with the man beside her - though we all know that is not what happened)😭.
@@anna-friedavandyk It's definitely something that adds a great deal to Lavellan's character (as Cassidei said), and it's one of those moments that just adds a lot to the player experience of having to sit there and think 'what would she do?' I love that it's one of those decisions that from a overarching game perspective is pretty much just aesthetics, but it's completely down to you to assign meaning to the choice - it makes you have to think from your character's perspective instead of 'you romanced this character, have romantic/sexy romance scene as reward'. So good.
Loved listening to y’all’s analysis and love for these characters!
Just got Up in the middle of the night to feed baby 🙌🏻 lets go 🖤
aw congrats with the baby!
I played the entire game wanting the keep the inquisition together ending, but when I got there, the disband ending just felt right.
Just watched this for the fifth time, I just love to listen to you solasmancers ❤ Our beloved egg is simply the best written character in a video game! Just earlier today RUclips recommended me a fan Song called „ar lath ma vhenan“ und it broke my heart once again. Maybe you would like this Song too! Deserves so much more attention, just like your channel does! Love your videos 🫶
thank you so much
@@ladysulevin thank you for that recommendation! What a beautiful song! The dragon age fandom is so talented
19:10 girl same, he opened his mouth and it was all downhill (uphill? 😂) from there
Solas finds everyway to grind my gears. I did a playthrough where i wanted to try romancing him, but i just couldn't after a few conversations he just came off as an entitled know-it-all who could have done more with his knowledge. I can't wait to go against him at every opportunity in veil guard
Totally valid, hope you get to kick his butt in Veilguard :)
@@ladysulevin Eggo is gonna be catching some fades if you know what I mean.
@@jeffcena9577 XD can't wait to see it honestly, i really want to know what happens if you go 'baSH him' the whole game
37:52 i love scene sm because at this point they're so domestic. They're a real couple.
Sorry to double edited l think I drew a comic for my friend with Solas be snarky with my honest response. "Well, perhaps we should play a tree." Me:" Why bother we could just rescue the one out of your arse." Varric:"ELVES!Just for once play nice" Me:" He started it" Varric:"Ugh, he's negging you. Just kiss and get it over with already".
i love that so much XD
I found my people
Still think that Solas should have been romanced by all the races. Would have made a better story
This can be controversial to some Solas shippers but especially with what we learn of Solas' character- I absolutely agree with this! Modern elves are much different than ancient elves, so there is always a process in which he comes to recognize and appreciate modern people as *people*. The dynamics are interesting in so many ways, whether with a human or dwarf or qunari- he's an ancient spirit reconciling with his decisions and also his own personhood.
Egg...
What if, solas runs away from hisbromance from levalen because he already had a wife and your inquisitor is the mistress/ homewrecker?